Adella Hayes was born in Miller County, Georgia on March 22, 1934, to the late Walter Hayes and Rosa Clark Hayes.

She confessed Christ at an early age at Wesley Chapel, where she was baptized. She attended Florida State University and later Albany State University, where she earned her Master's Degree.

Her teaching career started at Bethel School in Colquitt, Georgia before she transferred to the Duval County Public School System for 30 years. During her career, she was recognized as Teacher of the Year twice at Brookview Elementary School and served as Vice President of the Retired School Board. She was also active in church, serving in the Abyssinia Missionary Baptist Church Mass Choir, the Women's Choir, and was a Sunday School teacher for many years.

She was united in marriage to the late Lincoln Coolidge Williams on August 3, 1964 in Bainbridge, Georgia.

From this union, she raised one adopted daughter, Elizabeth Adams Poet (Williams).

She departed this life on April 14, 2026.  Adella was preceded in death by all of her siblings; she was the youngest of eleven.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Elizabeth W. Adams (David); grandson, Aristotle Dagan Adams; brother-in-law, Percy Williams of Bainbridge, Georgia; a nephew who was like a son, Retired Chief Master Sergeant and Deacon Henry Hayes (Pastor Dr. Hazel); and a host of other relatives and friends, including the Nightingales, Sis. Shirley Pollard and her neighbors.